In the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania there’s the Shade Mountain Vinyards along Route 104 in Middleburg. This winding, rural road also has a number of neat local attractions. Then we turned onto Route 45 which is known as an artisan's trail, a motorcycle route (and we saw a lot of them!) and goes through a state forest.
I so wanted to visit this winery and thought about how romantic it would be to stop at this quaint place and how nice it would be to have a bottle of local wine for dinner. But it was not to be.
Sometimes the things you want are simple and inexpensive. And the things that are romantic are so easy to do…like stopping to see the sights instead of rushing by. Or taking time out of a busy Saturday to talk. Right now, I just wish to catch my breath after a month of travel, but life keeps speeding along.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Camp Woodward
My kid is back from a week at Camp Woodward - the place for skateboarders, BMX bikers, BMX freestyle, inline skating, snowboarding, cheerleaders.
The camp is surrounded by farmland and the mountains of Pennsylvania, and along route 104 we could see Amish buggies and cyclists. The camp has everything an X-games kid could want. Indoor and outdoor ramps...
A pool ... horse stables ... go-carts ... and a video game arcade
His camp counselor was on the Dew tour and is sponsored. My son learned a lot and most of the kids were nice. There were kids from as far away as Australia and Scotland, and they were really good.
He and his friend weren't the best ones there, but he learned a lot. He showed us some of the skills he learned...
I hope he wants to go back next year. If he does, I'm thinking of staying and the lodge.
The camp is surrounded by farmland and the mountains of Pennsylvania, and along route 104 we could see Amish buggies and cyclists. The camp has everything an X-games kid could want. Indoor and outdoor ramps...
A pool ... horse stables ... go-carts ... and a video game arcade
His camp counselor was on the Dew tour and is sponsored. My son learned a lot and most of the kids were nice. There were kids from as far away as Australia and Scotland, and they were really good.
He and his friend weren't the best ones there, but he learned a lot. He showed us some of the skills he learned...
I hope he wants to go back next year. If he does, I'm thinking of staying and the lodge.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
3Sports Triathlon
This race marks my first distance event ever.
Picking the race was a challenge. I wanted a pool start, which would be logistically simpler, and the bike course had to be relatively flat. My summer consists of two conferences, a family vacation, a son's graduation and then going off to college and another son's camps. This made for a logistical challenge. I didn't want to commit to IronGirl, the race to which I was emotionally attached, because my son was going off to college around that time and I wasn't sure there would be a time conflict. And before I could figure out my schedule, the race sold out. Total bummer!! After researching just about every race in the vicinity, I picked 3Sports Triathlon in Richmond, VA because it met all of my criteria. But I fretted that doing a major race after a vacation and just days before a business conference was unwise.
In the weeks leading up to the race, I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Unlike the disappointing injury before what would have been my first half marathon, I wasn't injured. True, I woke up one morning on vacation with the outside of my knee hurting, but I'd done a big brick, run, and bike ride in the preceding days. It was a week from the race and I decided that I was done training and would do a major taper. All I did was go to one swim practice. I was ready to go.
About 1.5 weeks prior to the race, I took a tip from a member of the swim team, and did a bike-run brick the approximate length of the race course. This simulated the fatigue of the run and boosted my confidence.
I made the race into a mother-son trip with my 18-year-old son who has been pestering me to drive the car all summer and let him drive. Of course, I put up with him fiddling with the radio before every major exit and playing the music loud. But the simple overnight trip gave us the chance to talk. I found out that he wants to be a beach lifeguard, as he thinks it's the perfect, easy summer job. But I enjoyed listening to him sing, and discussing the lyrics to his favorite songs, and just talking with him. He doesn't want to do a triathlon, but even more important, he thanked me for brining him and had a good time.
I was so VERY nervous about the race. I did not think that I could do this. I worried that I hadn't trained enough. I had a lot of ambivalence and even thought of backing out of the race. I thought that I'd lost my mind to think that I could do a triathlon. What was I thinking when I got this big idea a year ago to do a triathlon??
Before the race, I visualized each part of the race and strategies I could use. I also researched some positive affirmations to tell myself throughout the race, which was a great strategy.
Here's the transition area. I got there later than I wanted to and had to move quickly to set up. I really liked the way the bike and run exits were market. That made it really easy.
Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr
Soon, I was waiting nevrously outside the pool area for the race to begin.
Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr
Swim - sharks rule
300 meters - 6:58
I seeded myself too fast. I gave them an honest time, but this psyched me out completely. If I do another pool start race, I'll add a minute or two to my estimated time. I tried to be courteous and let the faster people pass me. Knowing that the two toughest events are coming up, I tend to look at the swim as a refreshing warmup.
Exiting the pool...
T1 - 2:47
I'd actually practiced my transition the night before, working on assembling myself from head to toe. However, in the heat of the moment, I worked from toe to head. Someone gave me a great tip on how to roll up your socks and stick them in your shoe and this helped, as did having speed laces for my bike shoes. I decided to wear the bike shoes because I wanted to reduce the numb foot problem, which still bothers me.
Bike - going it alone
12 miles - 46:13
I had envisioned riding in a group, but my biggest surprise was that for most of the bike course, I didn't see many people. I drove the course the night before and I could see that it was relatively flat, with a few very gently rolling hills and some incline-type hills. This was much easier terrain than I'd been practicing on, which was a major confidence booster.
T2 - 2:30
Run - splat!
5K - 34:02
This was an out and back course. I was tired by this time and the run seemed to go on forever. My goal was to run to the turnaround point before walking, but I began walking and running before then. As I ran back, I suddenly went SPLAT as I tripped and fell on the sidewalk. I don't know whether I tripped on the sidewalk - or just my own feet! This gave me skinned knees and hands, an embarrassing moment, and a pesky injury. I'll have to remember to pick up my feet while running, even if I'm tired.
Finally at the finish line!
Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr
My goal for the race was to finish and come in with a respectable time. I came in at 1:32:28, and while happy, I felt that I could have been faster. This race was the perfect first-timer event.
I have the urge to sign up for another triathlon. In 2009, it will be IronGirl or bust!
Picking the race was a challenge. I wanted a pool start, which would be logistically simpler, and the bike course had to be relatively flat. My summer consists of two conferences, a family vacation, a son's graduation and then going off to college and another son's camps. This made for a logistical challenge. I didn't want to commit to IronGirl, the race to which I was emotionally attached, because my son was going off to college around that time and I wasn't sure there would be a time conflict. And before I could figure out my schedule, the race sold out. Total bummer!! After researching just about every race in the vicinity, I picked 3Sports Triathlon in Richmond, VA because it met all of my criteria. But I fretted that doing a major race after a vacation and just days before a business conference was unwise.
In the weeks leading up to the race, I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Unlike the disappointing injury before what would have been my first half marathon, I wasn't injured. True, I woke up one morning on vacation with the outside of my knee hurting, but I'd done a big brick, run, and bike ride in the preceding days. It was a week from the race and I decided that I was done training and would do a major taper. All I did was go to one swim practice. I was ready to go.
About 1.5 weeks prior to the race, I took a tip from a member of the swim team, and did a bike-run brick the approximate length of the race course. This simulated the fatigue of the run and boosted my confidence.
I made the race into a mother-son trip with my 18-year-old son who has been pestering me to drive the car all summer and let him drive. Of course, I put up with him fiddling with the radio before every major exit and playing the music loud. But the simple overnight trip gave us the chance to talk. I found out that he wants to be a beach lifeguard, as he thinks it's the perfect, easy summer job. But I enjoyed listening to him sing, and discussing the lyrics to his favorite songs, and just talking with him. He doesn't want to do a triathlon, but even more important, he thanked me for brining him and had a good time.
I was so VERY nervous about the race. I did not think that I could do this. I worried that I hadn't trained enough. I had a lot of ambivalence and even thought of backing out of the race. I thought that I'd lost my mind to think that I could do a triathlon. What was I thinking when I got this big idea a year ago to do a triathlon??
Before the race, I visualized each part of the race and strategies I could use. I also researched some positive affirmations to tell myself throughout the race, which was a great strategy.
Here's the transition area. I got there later than I wanted to and had to move quickly to set up. I really liked the way the bike and run exits were market. That made it really easy.
Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr
Soon, I was waiting nevrously outside the pool area for the race to begin.
Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr
Swim - sharks rule
300 meters - 6:58
I seeded myself too fast. I gave them an honest time, but this psyched me out completely. If I do another pool start race, I'll add a minute or two to my estimated time. I tried to be courteous and let the faster people pass me. Knowing that the two toughest events are coming up, I tend to look at the swim as a refreshing warmup.
Exiting the pool...
T1 - 2:47
I'd actually practiced my transition the night before, working on assembling myself from head to toe. However, in the heat of the moment, I worked from toe to head. Someone gave me a great tip on how to roll up your socks and stick them in your shoe and this helped, as did having speed laces for my bike shoes. I decided to wear the bike shoes because I wanted to reduce the numb foot problem, which still bothers me.
Bike - going it alone
12 miles - 46:13
I had envisioned riding in a group, but my biggest surprise was that for most of the bike course, I didn't see many people. I drove the course the night before and I could see that it was relatively flat, with a few very gently rolling hills and some incline-type hills. This was much easier terrain than I'd been practicing on, which was a major confidence booster.
T2 - 2:30
Run - splat!
5K - 34:02
This was an out and back course. I was tired by this time and the run seemed to go on forever. My goal was to run to the turnaround point before walking, but I began walking and running before then. As I ran back, I suddenly went SPLAT as I tripped and fell on the sidewalk. I don't know whether I tripped on the sidewalk - or just my own feet! This gave me skinned knees and hands, an embarrassing moment, and a pesky injury. I'll have to remember to pick up my feet while running, even if I'm tired.
Finally at the finish line!
Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr
My goal for the race was to finish and come in with a respectable time. I came in at 1:32:28, and while happy, I felt that I could have been faster. This race was the perfect first-timer event.
I have the urge to sign up for another triathlon. In 2009, it will be IronGirl or bust!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Women's Distance Festival 5K
I wanted to do this race for several years, after volunteering at another race and hearing someone comment that this was a fun race to run. Yesterday was the first time I got the chance to do it. Last year I was injured and the previous year I was on vacation. And the volunteer was right -- it's a fun race.
I wasn't really sure how I'd do in the race because when I woke up, my muscles were sore from gardening the day before. I did my at-home stretching exercices and then used the foam roller. When I got there, I did some stretching and then a short jog. And pretty soon we were off. I tried to hit my chrono button on my watch at the starting line, but the starting line wasn't clearly marked so I wasn't sure if I passed it or not. The course was really flat, except for one small hill. I know I started out fast, and I was surprised to see my 1 mile time, but I thought that had to be wrong...at 2 miles, I was still doing good but slowing down. I felt like I was really slow and dragging...but my surprise was the finish line clock which showed that I was coming in for my fastest 5K ever. I'm happy, but deep down inside, I still feel that I could have pushed myself more.
I think I need some positive affirmations during races. Something besides, "I'm tired. I'm in the middle of the pack...Where's the finish line?" My goal will be to think of some positive affirmations to tell myself during my next race.
Overall, a really fun race. They served watermellon after the race, which is the perfect post-race food. I never feel like eating after I run hard and races with a lavish post-race buffet make me feel like it's a waste. The watermellon was cool, juicy, and perfect on this hot and humid day. I chatted with a few other women, and it was a nice time.
Above: I always look like a grumpy old lady in race photos. I'm wearing my "girly" outfit with a running skirt for this all-woman race.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Going Home Again
I went back home to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a conference. When I got to the hotel, the first thing I did--instead of heading over to the conference--was go straight down Wisconsin Ave to the lakefront. Many things look the same as they did when I left about 18 years ago, but there are some changes. There's a new addition to the art center that I learned was built in 2000 (see the white building above). There's also some other buildings in that area, and the whole lakefront looks more manicured and built that I remember it. As another photo above shows, there are restaurants along the Milwaukee river, although it's still as brown as ever.
I passed the bank where I once got chewed out for parking my bike there. The irony is that there are now two bike racks in front of the building. I don't know if riding my bike more is making me more aware of cyclists, but it seemed that every five minutes in the late afternoon I saw a cyclist going by down Grand Ave. The streets are wider and even during rush hour, the traffic is not too congested, so it's easier to cycle downtown. It seemed that a new generation of broke college students were riding their bikes, just as I did. Some had old beat up bicycles, but some had new modern bicycles (hmmm.....), while I'm riding the same bike I rode in Milwaukee years ago. The street names on all of the buses that went by were familiar.
I stopped at the Grand Ave mall and ate a gyro. Most people cannot figure out how to eat a gyro with any dignity and avoid eating them. Should one pick it up and eat it, or use a fork and knife to cut the meat? My boyfriend would order a gyro right along with me, and that's how I knew we were compatible. There was a Greek restaurant on Oakland avenue that served gyros piled high with lamb meat, and we liked to go there. I typically spent only $10 - $12 on food -- for the week. But on this day, I spent about $6 on lunch.
The conference closed with a Summerfest Party, and I hooked up with a group and went down to the lakefront for the music festival. The others walked to one end of the festival, and then back. I went with them, covered in memories that I tried to push to the back of my mind. Everything looked pretty much the same, although the festival has grown up. There's no charging into the main stage for a concert and there are more bathrooms. But the people watching is still pretty interesting! Then, much to my disappointment, everyone wanted to leave right away.
I kept bursting into tears as I walked around, homesick for the town I'd left so many years ago. I think when I was younger, I was anxious to leave and start a new life in the Washington, DC area, and I left under ambivalent conditions. Now that my oldest son is 18 and grown, I thought about the life and town that I'd left and almost wanted to come back.
Fortunately, when the plane landed in Maryland, I stepped back into the life I've made for myself and everything was as usual.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Woo Hoo for my Sister
She says, "I did the Lake Pflugerville Tri (500 meter swim, 14 mile bike, and 3 mile run) and I got 5 th place in my age group! (out of 20)…..not too bad! To break it down even more, I beat the 1 st place woman (in my age group) in the swim! And I got 4 th place the run! My total time was 1:33. (one hour 33 minutes)"
Here's to a super talented sister! Way to go!!
Here's to a super talented sister! Way to go!!
Dew Tour
My kid took these photos! His dad, who's a journalist, got him a press pass to the AST Dew Tour and he went with a staff photographer who gave him some tips. The result: Great photos and an up close and personal look at the BMX bikers. Awesome!!
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